What this November’s vote means to California’s affordable housing market
October 30, 2018
Affordable Housing in California
November 30, 2018We previously interviewed Harmony President Matt Davies about why tiny homes are a good investment. The energy-efficient, attractive, and well-appointed homes are steadily increasing in popularity for their versatility and affordability. They are small enough that communities can maximize land available for affordable housing options, and their status as vehicles subjects them to flexible financing options for purchasers who may not qualify for a traditional mortgage.
But for all their benefits, tiny homes are, well, tiny. That said, are they suitable for families of three or more?
A recent California census reported that between 2012 and 2016, the average family size was 2.95. Accordingly, it follows that a number of the individuals living in tiny homes have families in tow. While it may seem that housing a family in less than 400 square feet is not possible, the internet is buzzing with blogs and websites lauding not only the viability, but the benefits, of raising children in tiny homes. From the popular blogs Bless this Tiny House, The Tiny Life, and Tiny House Family, to features on websites ranging from Realtor.com to CBS News, tiny house proponents abound—and some of the most vocal among them have children.
These families cite numerous benefits to living in tiny homes, from the obvious—like less debt and accumulation of unnecessary possessions—to more intangible benefits like increased connectedness among family members, more opportunities to spend time outside, and a chance to foster positive communication skills.
Based on the benefits and challenges cited by tiny house proponents, here are four ways that families of three or more can make the most out of tiny house living.
#1: Simplifying Possessions Americans are serial accumulators of stuff. Reports indicate we consume twice as many material goods today as our parents and grandparents did fifty years ago, and as one source notes, we do this “all the while carrying, on average, nearly $15,950 in credit card debt.”
Tiny houses are affordable options for families with children, not just because of the flexible financing options and feasibility of mortgage-free living, but also because they naturally shut down reckless accumulation – largely out of necessity. As one tiny home blogger writes, living with less has afforded her family more freedom from material excess: “We call it family-style minimalism. Removing excess space between us, clutter,and unnecessary projects…leaves room for an abundance of everything good.”
#2: Designing Special Spaces Tiny homes waste no space, but they are still attractive. Many time homes sport ample windows, nooks, and second floors or lofts, like a comfortable reading corner designed for kids to play, do homework, or simply feel as though they have a refuge. Carving out special spaces in tiny homes can afford everyone some personal space, but also give the house elements that make it feel like home, not just a hyper-efficient living situation.
#3: Seizing the Opportunity to Get Outside With a smaller living space, getting outside is a necessity, especially in a generation in which we are increasingly driven inside to our TVs, computers, and phones. Spending time in nature has numerous health benefits, including improving short term memory,reducing stress, eliminating fatigue, fighting anxiety and depression, and lowering blood pressure.
One of the benefits of tiny homes is that they can be parked almost anywhere that mobile homes are allowed, and for many families, this means being in the woods, near water, or even on a piece of property with homes owned by the same landlord. As such, tiny home families can take advantage of the opportunity to reap the various physical and mental benefits of spending time outside.
#4: Spending More Time on Family Activities Residents of tiny homes can capitalize on the reduced time spent on household chores to enjoy fun activities as a family, from homeschooling the children to taking the kids outside on nature walks. Particularly for families with two working parents or parents who work multiple jobs, having less burdensome household tasks to manage means more time for fun and enriching family activities.
At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods,and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.
But for all their benefits, tiny homes are, well, tiny. That said, are they suitable for families of three or more?
A recent California census reported that between 2012 and 2016, the average family size was 2.95. Accordingly, it follows that a number of the individuals living in tiny homes have families in tow. While it may seem that housing a family in less than 400 square feet is not possible, the internet is buzzing with blogs and websites lauding not only the viability, but the benefits, of raising children in tiny homes. From the popular blogs Bless this Tiny House, The Tiny Life, and Tiny House Family, to features on websites ranging from Realtor.com to CBS News, tiny house proponents abound—and some of the most vocal among them have children.
These families cite numerous benefits to living in tiny homes, from the obvious—like less debt and accumulation of unnecessary possessions—to more intangible benefits like increased connectedness among family members, more opportunities to spend time outside, and a chance to foster positive communication skills.
Based on the benefits and challenges cited by tiny house proponents, here are four ways that families of three or more can make the most out of tiny house living.
#1: Simplifying Possessions Americans are serial accumulators of stuff. Reports indicate we consume twice as many material goods today as our parents and grandparents did fifty years ago, and as one source notes, we do this “all the while carrying, on average, nearly $15,950 in credit card debt.”
Tiny houses are affordable options for families with children, not just because of the flexible financing options and feasibility of mortgage-free living, but also because they naturally shut down reckless accumulation – largely out of necessity. As one tiny home blogger writes, living with less has afforded her family more freedom from material excess: “We call it family-style minimalism. Removing excess space between us, clutter,and unnecessary projects…leaves room for an abundance of everything good.”
#2: Designing Special Spaces Tiny homes waste no space, but they are still attractive. Many time homes sport ample windows, nooks, and second floors or lofts, like a comfortable reading corner designed for kids to play, do homework, or simply feel as though they have a refuge. Carving out special spaces in tiny homes can afford everyone some personal space, but also give the house elements that make it feel like home, not just a hyper-efficient living situation.
#3: Seizing the Opportunity to Get Outside With a smaller living space, getting outside is a necessity, especially in a generation in which we are increasingly driven inside to our TVs, computers, and phones. Spending time in nature has numerous health benefits, including improving short term memory,reducing stress, eliminating fatigue, fighting anxiety and depression, and lowering blood pressure.
One of the benefits of tiny homes is that they can be parked almost anywhere that mobile homes are allowed, and for many families, this means being in the woods, near water, or even on a piece of property with homes owned by the same landlord. As such, tiny home families can take advantage of the opportunity to reap the various physical and mental benefits of spending time outside.
#4: Spending More Time on Family Activities Residents of tiny homes can capitalize on the reduced time spent on household chores to enjoy fun activities as a family, from homeschooling the children to taking the kids outside on nature walks. Particularly for families with two working parents or parents who work multiple jobs, having less burdensome household tasks to manage means more time for fun and enriching family activities.
At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods,and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.
